The group all took different roles, some “running” the drugs to customers, some setting up deals, transporting money or driving runners across the country.

Prosecuting barrister Patrick Griffiths told Swansea Crown Court how undercover cops posed as drug users to infiltrate the group. One officer began dealing directly with Joe Kerwin, known as “Scouse John”, who held an untraceable pay-as-you-go mobile, also used by his brother Shaun.

The Kerwins were caught out after accidentally using their contract phones to make deals, blowing their cover.

Police uncovered a conspiracy which involved drugs with a potential street value of £266,000.

Cars owned by various members of the group were tracked by traffic cameras travelling from Liverpool to Swansea and one of the men, Lee Ackers, was stopped at Swansea train station carrying £2,700 cash and with “dealer’s notes” written on his legs.

Patrick Griffiths, prosecuting, said: It is the prosecution case that the defendants Jamie Byrne and Joe Kerwin played the most important roles but Shaun Kerwin also played an important part.”

On one occasion, when his brother was on holiday, Shaun Kerwin let slip to officers that he would not be available for phone calls for the next hour, because he was on a driving lesson. This was later confirmed by police.

After his arrest, Kyle Ashton told police he had been in Swansea to watch Everton. He said he had returned home with his girlfriend the day after the game.

Carol Byrne was given a 12-month sentence suspended for 18 months. The rest of the group were due to be sentenced today.